Skip to main content
Comedy Cult Classic

When two Brooklyn entertainers crash-land on a jungle island, mad science and monkey business ensue.

BELA LUGOSI MEETS A BROOKLYN GORILLA

A horror film that will stiffen you with laughter!

1952 · 1h 14m · NR · Comedy / Horror / Science Fiction · IMDB TMDB

Brooklyn buddies, two goofy entertainers, are stranded on a jungle island with a mad doctor who turns one of them into a gorilla.

Quick Answer

What is Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla about?

Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla is a 1952 American comedy, horror, and science fiction film directed by William Beaudine about two entertainers stranded on a jungle island who encounter a mad scientist with a penchant for primate experiments.

Programmer's Pick

A fever dream of low-budget jungle antics, this Poverty Row oddity pairs Bela Lugosi’s mad scientist routine with a knock-off Martin and Lewis comedy act. If you ever wondered what happens when 1950s nightclub shtick meets a gorilla in a lab coat, here’s your answer.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Two Brooklyn entertainers, Duke Mitchell and Sammy Petrillo, find themselves stranded on a remote jungle island after a parachuting mishap. Discovered by local natives and the chief's daughter Nona, the duo is given a makeover and introduced to the island's quirky customs. As they adjust to their new surroundings, they learn about the mysterious Dr. Zabor, the island's resident scientist with a keen interest in evolution. The comedic pair navigates cultural misunderstandings, jungle hijinks, and the looming presence of Zabor, setting the stage for a blend of slapstick humor and classic mad scientist antics. This film serves up a tropical mix of comedy, horror, and science fiction with a Poverty Row flavor.

Details & Specs

Director
William Beaudine
Writer
Tim Ryan
Release
1952
Runtime
1h 14m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Also Known As
The Monster Meets the Gorilla, De griezel gorilla, White Women of the Lost Jungle, The Boys from Brooklyn, El gorila de Brooklyn, Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla, Original title: Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla

Why Cult

Lugosi’s Mad Scientist

Bela Lugosi brings his signature gravitas to the role of Dr. Zabor, the island’s resident mad scientist with evolutionary ambitions.

Martin & Lewis Parody

Duke Mitchell and Sammy Petrillo deliver a broad spoof of the famous comedy duo, complete with Jerry Lewis impersonation.

Jungle Island Setting

Expect tiki torches, grass skirts, and a South Sea isle backdrop, all through the lens of 1950s American comedy.

Poverty Row Charm

A product of Hollywood’s scrappiest studios, this film embraces its budget limitations with earnest oddball energy.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Arrival of stranded entertainers

Threat

Mad scientist’s experiments

Effect

Transformation of humans into gorillas

Setting

Jungle island and laboratory

Questions from the Vault

When was Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla released? +

Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla was released in 1952.

Who directed Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla? +

William Beaudine directed Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla.

How long is Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla? +

Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla has a runtime of 74 minutes.

What genre is Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla? +

Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla is a comedy, horror, and science fiction film.

Trailers & Clips

Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla trailer
Official Trailer
Sign in to play